Reviewed by Daniel · El Albir resident since 2007 · Updated November 2026 · Write to meI’ve lived in El Albir since 2007 and I’ve been asked a thousand times where I eat when nobody’s watching. No lists or rankings: the answer is Sapporo. It’s not the prettiest or the most modern restaurant in town, and after telling you what’s good I’ll tell you what isn’t. But it’s the place I keep going back to, alone, with family or with friends visiting from abroad, and I almost never leave thinking I made the wrong choice.
What Sapporo is and why it’s different
On some platforms it appears as “Restaurante Sapporo Japonés”, but don’t let the name confuse you: the base is Chinese food, with sushi, grill dishes and a few Japanese- and Thai-inspired plates.
What sets it apart from other buffets in the area is that you don’t get up to help yourself from trays that have been sitting under a lamp for half an hour. You order from the menu, the kitchen makes it fresh and they bring it to your table. As many times as you like.
For me, the trick is something else. As well as the classics, they serve mussels, cuttlefish and local fish, and that changes everything. A Chinese buffet that works with Mediterranean produce isn’t usual, and it’s what makes me choose it over others.
The place is very spacious, with big tables where groups and families fit comfortably, and it has a terrace. And the waiters have a habit I find funny: they won’t let you leave hungry. If they see an empty table, they insist you order more.
It’s not a newcomer. Judging by the reviews you can read online, it’s been in El Albir since at least 2015. The brand has another restaurant in Benidorm, but the Albir one is still in its usual spot.
How the à la carte buffet works
The system is simple, but it’s worth knowing before you sit down.
When you arrive you’re given a table. On the table there’s a QR code to see the menu on your phone, although they also have it on paper, and each dish has a number. They give you a slip of paper and a pen: you write down the number of what you want and, if you want a double portion, write “x2” next to it. You give the slip to the waiter and they bring it to your table. When you’ve finished, you fill in another slip. And so on.
There are some rules worth being clear about, because they do apply them:
Time limit. Two and a half hours per table to eat and drink.
Waste. If you leave a lot of food on your plate, they charge a surcharge depending on what’s left. The restaurant itself recommends starting with small orders and ordering again.
Drinks included. Water, soft drinks, beer and wine are included in the price. Dessert is paid separately.
No taking buffet food away. What you order from the buffet is eaten there. Takeaway does exist, but it’s charged separately by dish.
So you can see it before you go, in this video I give you some quick tips for getting the most out of Sapporo from your very first visit.
What to order
The menu is long, with dozens of cold and hot dishes. These are the ones I order and the ones that come up most in other customers’ reviews:
Duck. Peking duck and duck à l’orange are among the most talked about. If you only try one thing, make it this.
Prawns. With sesame, fried or on toast. They come out of the kitchen freshly made and crispy.
Grilled satay. The skewers with peanut sauce are a house classic.
Sushi and salmon. Salmon is now included in the buffet, something new they announce on their website. The sushi is decent for a buffet: don’t expect a chef-driven Japanese.
Rice, chicken and beef. Fried rice, chicken with almonds and beef skewers come up a lot in reviews. They’re the dishes that never fail with children.
Mussels, cuttlefish and fish. My personal recommendation. It’s what turns an ordinary buffet meal into a good one.
My advice: keep the first round short and varied. Try four or five things, stick with what you like most and order that again. That way you eat better and don’t risk the surcharge.
How much it costs
According to the prices published on its official website, the buffet costs about €19.99 per adult and €8.99 per child aged 3 to 8, with drinks included (approximate prices, may change). The website doesn’t publish different prices for lunch, dinner or weekends, so confirm when you arrive.
With dessert or coffee, the bill usually comes to around €20–25 per person (approximate price). For what you eat and drink, it’s still one of the best-value options in Albir, although it’s no longer the bargain it was ten years ago: back then it was around €13, and some regular customers mention the increase.
Location and where to park
Sapporo is at Avenida de l’Albir, 155, unit 12, inside a shopping centre. It’s on the side of the building, so if it’s your first time, walk round it rather than looking for it on the avenue frontage.
The easiest option is the shopping centre’s own underground car park, which saves you circling the avenue in summer. If it’s full, you’ll find more options in my guide to parking in El Albir.
Opening hours and bookings
It’s open every day, from 12:30 to midnight, without closing between lunch and dinner. One detail the restaurant itself mentions: in the afternoon the team stops for about 10–15 minutes to eat, so if you arrive right then you may have to wait a little.
To book, the most reliable thing is to call 966 868 688. The place is big and there’s usually a table on weekdays, but at weekends and in high season it fills up. If you’re going as a group, call ahead.
What the ratings say
I’ve gone through the main platforms. The scores are approximate, because they change every week:
Google: around 4.2 out of 5, with more than 1,800 reviews.
Tripadvisor: around 3.8 out of 5, with about 240 reviews.
GastroRanking: 7.8 out of 10, calculated from more than 2,000 reviews, and among the best Asian restaurants in l’Alfàs del Pi.
What comes up most in recent reviews is the freshly made, hot food, the speed of service, the good value for money and friendly staff who speak Spanish and English, and sometimes Dutch. It works very well for groups and families.
On Tripadvisor the score is a little lower because older reviews weigh more there, from when there were complaints about some waiters’ attitude and the quality of the sushi. In reviews from recent years, the service comes out much better.
Where it falls short
As promised. This is what I don’t like or what other customers repeat:
The toilets. There are few of them and they’re old. Clean, yes, but they need refurbishing.
The terrace. The tables are worn.
The menu. Its design has become dated. It works, but it gives a worse first impression than the food deserves.
The noise. When it’s full, it’s noisy. If you want a quiet dinner, go on a weekday or early.
The variety. Some regular customers say there are fewer dishes now than before.
The leftovers surcharge. It’s fine for avoiding waste, but some people have felt it was an unfair charge. Order a little at a time and you won’t have a problem.
My reading is clear: the faults are in the premises, not on the plate.
Sapporo compared with other Asian buffets in Albir
El Albir has several Asian restaurants with a similar format. Puente de Oro, on the same Avenida de l’Albir, is its most direct rival: also an à la carte buffet with drinks, smaller and with a very family feel. Cuenco de Oro and Yaho have similar scores and a loyal following, and Yamato focuses more on sushi.
If you want variety, room for a big group and that touch of mussels, cuttlefish and local fish, I’d go for Sapporo. If you prefer a cosier place, Puente de Oro is a very decent alternative.
Local’s tips
Go hungry, but order wisely. Short rounds; two and a half hours is plenty of time.
Ask about the fish and seafood of the day. That’s the difference from other buffets.
Avoid weekend peak times if you want a relaxed meal. Early lunchtime or weekdays are much better.
Book if you’re going as a group. The place is big, but the long tables go fast.
If you have any allergies, ask for the allergen menu and ask the staff.
If you’re driving, head straight down to the car park of the shopping centre.
Frequently asked questions about Sapporo in El Albir
How much does the Sapporo buffet cost?
About €19.99 per adult and €8.99 per child aged 3 to 8, with drinks included (approximate prices). Dessert is paid separately.
Which drinks are included in the price?
Water, soft drinks, beer and wine.
Is there a time limit?
Yes, two and a half hours per table.
Do they charge if I leave food?
Yes. If you leave excessive food, they apply a surcharge depending on what’s left.
Can I order takeaway?
Yes, but it’s not part of the buffet. Takeaway is charged separately.
Do I need to book?
It’s not compulsory, but it’s advisable at weekends, in summer and if you’re going as a group. You can book on 966 868 688.
Is it a good choice with children?
Yes. It has a children’s price, plenty of room and simple dishes children usually like, such as fried rice, chicken or spring rolls.
Is it the same Sapporo as the one in Benidorm?
It’s the same brand, but they’re two different restaurants, each with its own address and phone number.
Why it’s still my favourite
Sapporo won’t win any prizes for decor and it has things to improve, starting with the toilets and the terrace. But when it comes to eating well, hot and freshly made, without worrying about the bill, it’s the place I’ve been going back to for years. If you’re on holiday or have just moved here, go hungry and be patient ordering in rounds.
If you want to compare it with other options, in my selection of restaurants for eating well in El Albir you’ll find alternatives for every taste. If you’re on a tight budget, take a look at my tips for eating cheaply in El Albir. If you’re coming by car, check where to park in El Albir without driving round in circlesbefore you go. And for everything else, go back to the El Albir guide told by a local.
I'm Daniel and I've lived in El Albir since 2007. LiveinAlbir.com started because so many people would stop me in the street to ask where to eat, where to stay, which areas are worth it and what living here is really like.
Questions about El Albir? Write to me and I will get back to you.
